Woolgrowers cap off Baggy Green project

The response from Australian woolgrowers for the Baggy Green project has been tremendous.

Late last year woolgrowers across Australia were invited to donate some of their wool to be made into a special green cloth to eventually become the next batch of cricket's iconic Baggy Green caps worn by Australian test cricketers.

The authentically Australian project was formed when Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) partnered with Cricket Australia and Kookaburra.

AWI corporate communications manager, Marius Cuming said the response to the project has been tremendous.

“Woolgrowers from across Australia have taken the time and effort to send AWI some of their valuable wool and we thank them. It has given this project a really strong start and shows just how cricket is loved as a game for all Aussies,” Mr Cuming said.

In total, just over 400 woolgrowers have donated wool to the project and the total volume has come to about 500 kilograms.

“It includes a few champion fleeces and a lot of people have taken a handful of wool from special sheep at shearing and have included a few words about their connection to their local cricket club which is great,” Mr Cuming said.

“We were aiming to produce enough cloth for the next century of Australian cricketers and this will definitely be enough to do so.

All the donated wool is now at Michell Wool in South Australia and will be scoured in coming days before being processed further.

All those that have donated wool will be receiving a sample of the cloth.

“It is fitting the wool is being processed in its early stage in South Australia as we plan to hand the final green fabric over to Cricket Australia during the Adelaide Test in December this year,” Mr Cuming said.

“There are a number of initiatives and events in the planning, including a book celebrating the deep connections between wool and cricket, which has been brilliantly written by Australia’s foremost cricket writer, Gideon Haigh.”

This book outlines many of Australia’s past and present players who have direct connections to the wool industry.

In fact, when you look closely at the Australian cricket coast of arms you will see it has a sheep on it, symbolising the importance of the industry to the nation and the game.